Soundarya Lahari of Shri Shankara (Study)
by Seetha N. | 1985 | 67,146 words
The essay studies in English the Soundarya Lahari of Shri Shankara, focusing on its philosophical and devotional aspects. The Saundaryalahari represents an epitome of Shaktism (worship of the divine Goddess) by expounding the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha) through the non-dual knowledge of Nirguna Brahman, as taught by the Advaita philosophy....
The drawing of Srichakra
The first three cakras are called Srsticakras, the second three are called Sthiticakras and the third three are called Samharacakras. The colours to be given to the cakras are as follows: Red (Bindu), Bandhuka (Trikona), Padmaraga (Vasu kona), Reddish colour of hibiscaus (Antardasara), Saffron (Bahirdasara), Blue (Caturdasara), Red (Vasudala), white (Sodasara), (Bhupura) White, light red (middle Bhupura) and yellow (innermost Bhupura). The performance of Sricakrapuja should be in some holy places like banks of river, temple, house of the preceptor or such other 144. Bhavanopanisad 10. 145. Nityasodasikarnava I. 71-78.
- 357 - 146 places. It should not be on uneven grounds." Make the ground even. 147 built. Nine stages, rising one above the other should be The lowest stage is called Bhuprastara. Above this should be built the second stage Meruprastara having three cakras and above this should be the Kailasaprastara. by the following diagram. This is explained The upasaka should sit facing to east or west. If the triangle in sricakra are drawn with the apex upwards it means Sivacakra which should be four in number. If the triangle is drawn with apex downwards it means sakticakra which should be five in number. Place Bindu inside as follows: Draw the Satkona. 146. Vatulatantra III.5. 147. Nityotsava III, p.65.
358 Draw another Saktikona so as to form a Navayonicakra. Draw another triangle of Siva to form the Dasakona.
- 359 Then gradually complete the fortyfour corners with five Sivayuvatis and four Srikanthas. Complete it by drawing Vasudala, Sodasadala, and Bhupuratraya. Sricakra is as follows: The digram of The fortyfour corners in Sricekre are contemplated in the chant as (1) Amrtambhonidhi (2) Ratnadvipa (3) Namavrksamahodyana (4) Kalpavrksavatika (5) Santana (6) Haricendana (7) Mandara (8) Parijata (9) Kadambavrksavati ka (10) Pusyaragaratnamandapa (11) Padmaragaratnamandapa (12) Gomedharatnamandapa (13) Vajraratnamandapa (14) Vaiduryaratnamandapa (15) Indranilaratnamandapa (16) Muktaratnamandapa (17) Marakataratnamandapa (18) Vidrumaratnamandapa (19) Manikyaratnamandapa (20) Sahasrarastambhamandapa (21) Amitavapika
360- (22) Anandavapika (23) Vimarsavapika (24) Balat apodgara (25) Candri kodgara (26) Mahasrngaraparigha (27) Mahapadmat avi (28) Cintamanigrha (29) Purvamnayamay apurvadvara (30) Uttaramnayamaya uttaradvara (31) Daksinamnayamayad aksin advara (32) Pascimamnayamayapascimadvara (33) Ratnadvipapravala (34) Manimayamahasimhasana (35) Brahmamayai kamancapada (36) Visnumayai kamancapada (37) Rudramayaikamancapada (38) Isvaramayai kamancapada (39) Sadasivaikamancaphalaka (40) Hamsatulatalpa (41) Hams at ulamahopadhana (42) Kaustubhastarana (43) Mahavitanaka (44) Mahayavanika.